by Alan Watkins

A shipping entrepreneur told a national conference in Chatham today that worms, birds, and public footpaths get more support than his industry.

John Spencer, Group MD of GPS Marine Services, which has its headquarters on the River Medway, shipped more than 1.1 million tonnes of freight last year.

His firm is investing in river infrastructure against objections from environmentalists and politicians who he claims have no understanding of industry needs.

Speaking at the conference - Freight by Water - he said: "We cut the carbon footprint and are more economical" .

“But how people can object to a new wharf for godwits [a type of bird] between two power stations on the Medway I do not know.”

He criticised the government for letting rivers silt up, and planners who permitted river walks and housing developments next to working wharves.

"How can you safely move tonnes of aggregate over people's heads who are walking these paths?" he stormed.

The Shipping Minister and Gillingham MP, Paul Clark, will address the conference this afternoon.

Other speakers include the head of Development at Peels Ports which owns Chatham Docks, the Port of London Authority's head of planning and Crossrail's logistics manager.

For full report see Friday's Medway Messenger